The United States consumed 45% of the world's Cognac last year. This demand is reshaping a market where premiumization drives growth, even as production faces constraints.
Key Takeaways
- United States consumes 45% of global Cognac, 110 million bottles in 2023
- Global Cognac exports reached €4.9 billion in 2022, up 15% YoY
- Hennessy holds 40% global Cognac market share by volume in 2023
- In 2022, Cognac market volume reached 240 million bottles, up 4% YoY
- In 2022, Cognac production totaled 470,450 hectoliters of pure alcohol (hpa), marking a slight increase from 464,900 hpa in 2021
Cognac sales continue to grow, showing strong global demand for this premium spirit.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption Patterns and Trends20 stats
01
United States consumes 45% of global Cognac, 110 million bottles in 2023
02
Per capita Cognac consumption in US is 0.3 liters annually, highest globally
03
China consumption reached 20 million bottles in 2023, driven by gifting
04
Cocktail usage like Sidecar boosted Cognac on-trade by 25% in US 2023
05
Women represent 35% of Cognac drinkers in 2023, up from 20% in 2015
06
Millennials (25-40) account for 50% of premium Cognac volume growth
07
Hip-hop culture endorsement increased US Cognac sales 300% since 2000
08
Average age of Cognac drinker dropped to 42 years in 2023 from 50 in 2010
09
Neat serving preference rose to 40% in premium segments 2023
10
Asia-Pacific consumption CAGR 7% projected to 2028
11
France per capita consumption 1.2 liters, mostly domestic blends
12
UK Cognac consumption favors VSOP, 15 million bottles annually
13
Sustainability influences 60% of young buyers' Cognac choices in 2023
14
Low/no-alcohol Cognac demand up 50% in 2023 surveys
15
Premiumization trend: 70% value growth from XO+ in 2022-2023
16
E-commerce penetration for Cognac at 15% of sales in US 2023
17
Dark spirits including Cognac grew 5% in global volume 2023
18
Single estate Cognac consumption up 20% among collectors 2023
19
Health-conscious mixing with soda reduced ABV perception in young consumers
20
Global per capita spirits consumption includes 0.08 liters Cognac average
Interpretation
Consumption Patterns and Trends Interpretation
America may gulp nearly half the world's Cognac, but its true power lies in transforming the once-stuffy spirit into a vibrant, diverse, and cocktail-shaking culture where neat sipping, hip-hop playlists, and mindful consumption all coexist at the same, increasingly younger, table.
02 · Category
Exports and Imports19 stats
01
Global Cognac exports reached €4.9 billion in 2022, up 15% YoY
02
United States imported 101 million bottles of Cognac in 2022, 42% of total exports
03
China imported 17 million bottles in 2022, growing 28% from 2021
04
UK Cognac imports totaled 12 million bottles in 2022, down 2% due to inflation
05
Japan imported 8.5 million bottles of Cognac in 2022, stable YoY
06
Russia exports dropped 50% to 2 million bottles in 2022 amid sanctions
07
South Korea Cognac imports rose 35% to 4 million bottles in 2022
08
Australia imported 3.2 million bottles in 2022, up 10%
09
Germany took 6 million bottles in 2022, Europe's largest importer
10
Brazil imports grew 20% to 2.8 million bottles in 2022
11
Duty-free and travel retail Cognac sales hit 15 million bottles in 2022
12
Africa/Middle East region imported 10 million bottles in 2022, up 8%
13
Canada Cognac imports reached 4.5 million bottles in 2022
14
India imports doubled to 1.2 million bottles in 2022
15
Mexico imported 2.1 million bottles, up 15%
16
EU intra-trade accounted for 20% of Cognac movements in 2022
17
Average export price per liter of Cognac was €18.5 in 2022
18
Hennessy brand exported 70 million bottles in 2022, 29% of total Cognac
19
Remy Martin exports grew 18% to 22 million bottles in FY2022
Interpretation
Exports and Imports Interpretation
The global thirst for Cognac continues to surge, revealing a world where America drinks with impressive volume, China ascends with speed, and while the British tighten their belts and Russia faces a drought, emerging markets from Seoul to São Paulo are enthusiastically raising their glasses.
03 · Category
Major Brands and Producers20 stats
01
Hennessy holds 40% global Cognac market share by volume in 2023
02
Remy Martin commands 12% market share, focusing on premium XO
03
Courvoisier has 8% share, owned by Beam Suntory
04
Martell, Pernod Ricard brand, holds 7% share with strong China presence
05
Camus family-owned, produces 3 million bottles annually, 1.5% share
06
Frapin produces 250,000 bottles yearly from estate vineyards
07
Hine Cognac, owned by EDV, exports 1 million bottles
08
Meukow, independent, specializes in VSOP with 800,000 bottles
09
Normandin-Mercier family producer of 400,000 bottles, organic focus
10
Delamain, ultra-premium, ages 20+ years, 150,000 bottles
11
LVMH's Hennessy operates 42 distilleries, employs 4,000
12
Remy Cointreau's Remy Martin sources from 1,000 growers
13
Over 200 houses blend Cognac, but top 4 control 85% volume
14
Park Cognac from South Africa partnership exported 500,000 bottles
15
Bisquit Dubouché, revived brand, 300,000 bottles annually
16
Braastad, Norwegian-owned, premium niche 100,000 bottles
17
Salignac, value brand, 2 million bottles for entry-level
18
Baron Otard, Chateau de Cognac producer, 200,000 bottles
19
Hardy Cognac, revived by Rare Champagne, 150,000 bottles
20
Louis Royer, Paton family, 400,000 bottles with floral notes
Interpretation
Major Brands and Producers Interpretation
While Hennessy towers over the Cognac world like a benevolent giant sipping from half the world’s glasses, the true spirit of the industry is found in the meticulous craft of smaller houses, where families and niche producers fiercely guard their patches of vineyard and tradition in the long shadow of the giants.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market and Sales18 stats
01
In 2022, Cognac market volume reached 240 million bottles, up 4% YoY
02
Global Cognac sales value hit €4.9 billion in 2022, driven by premium segments
03
VS Cognac accounted for 80% of 2022 shipments by volume but only 60% by value
04
Premium Cognac (VSOP and above) grew 12% in value in 2022
05
US market share of Cognac was 45% of global exports in 2022, valued at €2.1 billion
06
China Cognac imports surged 25% to €500 million in 2022 post-pandemic recovery
07
Off-trade Cognac sales dominated 70% of volume in 2023, with on-trade rebounding
08
Cognac average price per bottle rose 8% to €25 in 2022 globally
09
E-commerce Cognac sales grew 30% in 2022, especially in premium tiers
10
France domestic Cognac sales were 15 million bottles in 2022, stable YoY
11
XO Cognac segment expanded 15% in volume to 25 million bottles in 2022
12
Cognac market projected to grow at 4.5% CAGR to 2028, reaching 280 million bottles
13
Sustainable packaging drove 20% of Cognac sales in premium markets in 2023
14
Ready-to-drink Cognac variants launched, capturing 2% market share in 2023
15
Millennial buyers shifted Cognac to 40% of volume in key markets by 2023
16
Non-Alcoholic Cognac alternatives emerged, with 5% trial rate in 2023 surveys
17
Cognac tourism generated €200 million in 2022 from 1 million visitors
18
Private label Cognac held 5% market share in Europe in 2022
Interpretation
Market and Sales Interpretation
While the masses keep the lights on with volume, it's the premium sips, savvy new markets, and evolving consumer rituals that are truly bottling the future—and raising the price.
05 · Category
Production Statistics20 stats
01
In 2022, Cognac production totaled 470,450 hectoliters of pure alcohol (hpa), marking a slight increase from 464,900 hpa in 2021
02
The 2023 harvest in the Cognac region yielded 1,020,000 hectoliters of wine, down 5% from 2022 due to weather challenges
03
Cognac's vineyard area spans 81,998 hectares as of 2023, primarily planted with Ugni Blanc grapes which account for 99% of vines
04
In 2022, the Charente region produced 65% of all Cognac eaux-de-vie, with Petite Champagne contributing 23%
05
Average yield per hectare in Cognac vineyards was 82 hectoliters of wine per hectare in 2023, regulated by appellation rules
06
Over 4,000 winegrowers manage Cognac vineyards, distilling 98% of their wine into eau-de-vie locally
07
Cognac distillation occurs between November 1 and March 31, using traditional Charentais alambics holding 25-30 hectoliters
08
In 2022, 1.2 million hectoliters of wine were distilled into Cognac eau-de-vie
09
Grande Champagne cru represents 17% of Cognac production area but produces premium spirits aged longer
10
Borderies cru, the smallest at 4% of area, yields floral eaux-de-vie from clay-limestone soils
11
Fins Bois cru covers 65% of Cognac area, producing lighter eaux-de-vie for younger blends
12
Bois Ordinaires and Bois Communs crus make up the remaining production zones with sandy soils
13
Cognac aging requires oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais forests, with minimum 2 years for VS
14
Annual evaporation loss in Cognac cellars, known as "la part des anges," averages 3-4% per year
15
98% of Cognac is blended from eaux-de-vie of different crus, ages, and vintages by 1,200 cellarmen
16
In 2023, organic vineyards in Cognac covered 1,200 hectares, up 20% from 2022
17
Ugni Blanc yields 80-90 hl/ha, Folle Blanche 70 hl/ha in Cognac
18
Colombard represents 1% of Cognac plantings, used for acidity in distillation
19
Cognac producers maintain 200 million liters of aging stock for blending
20
Double distillation in Cognac produces "bonne chauffe" at 70-72% ABV
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
The Cognac industry is a precise dance of tradition and regulation, where thousands of patient winegrowers turn a vast sea of mostly Ugni Blanc grapes into a slightly smaller sea of wine, then a much smaller ocean of pure alcohol, all to lose a generous angel's share to the cellar air while waiting for the alchemy of oak to create a spirit that is, almost without exception, a master blender's artful deception of harmony.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). Cognac Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cognac-industry-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "Cognac Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/cognac-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "Cognac Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cognac-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
25 datasets cited across this report